Traditionally, companies have relied on label or forms design software to support their entire labeling process. The costs of this legacy approach are greater than many companies realize. By digitally transforming their labeling, companies can reduce the direct and indirect costs of their labeling, and avoid missed opportunities.

The Benefits of Nice Label

First, the templates are universal, which means that they are compatible with any printer you may already have. It also makes it easier to provide accuracy with content placement and multi-language incorporation. It’s even easy to connect to Excel, providing you with flexibility in transferring data. Of course, most importantly, meet industry standards every time.

How it Works

Get started with a clean slate, or select from pre-made templates to make your label design process easier. Then, you’ll choose your dimensions and which printer you’re going to be using. After that, you’ll select what kind of stock you’ll be printing on, whether that be a roll or a sheet. Of course, you’ll also select landscape or portrait mode as well.

Once you complete the pop-up prompts the real fun begins. There are a bunch of tools available at your disposal to create the design of your dreams. Plus, the layout is simple and easy to use. So, it’s not like learning all the intricacies of Adobe Illustrator. Instead, you get the perfect balance of simplicity and usefulness.

Labeling Easter eggs are semi-hidden features that allow customers to connect dots, reveal a design element, or further engage with a brand. So, it’s there purely to create a story, or to delight shoppers. However simple it may seem, it still has the potential to be a powerful labeling design tool for building a loyal following.

Labeling Easter Eggs Improve Shopper Engagement

People like feeling like an insider, and solving a puzzle, or spotting something others don’t catch. When you incorporate Easter eggs, shoppers will be more inclined to spend time with your item in-store and physically engage with it. Then, this increases their chances of purchasing the product.

2. Incorporate Hidden Designs

Of course, hidden designs are easiest to incorporate by shrinking the motif down for a patterned background. However, if one of your labels features a pirate ship, incorporate it into your next design by having a massive sea creature crush it in its grip. Not only does this make for a unique Easter egg, but it incorporates storytelling and a touch of humor into your label design.

Or take the customer off the label and use hidden NFC technology, a QR code, or even a simple QR code to link them to bonus content. This content could include behind the scenes video, a humorous blog tutorial for using your product, or a game app specifically designed for your products.

Promotional beauty labels differ from other industries’ promotional labels in a few ways. First, typically, the size of the label tends to be smaller for cosmetics and some other beauty products than, say, food or beverage items. They also get tucked away in a store, so customers aren’t immediately drawn in upon entering the store. Also, it’s not typically industry standard to include cartoonish graphics for holidays or events the way it is in other sectors.

Promotional Beauty Labels That Pop

Some beauty labels will use elegant, subtle graphics around seasonal holidays. So, to stand out, do something drastic. For Valentines, create a velvety, vibrant red label that makes shoppers reach out and touch the packaging. The more haptic techniques are used, the more successful the promotional label, after all.

Or take your current design up a notch and use holographic techniques such as Cast & Cure or Motion Coat to take the design to another level. So, it doesn’t require an entirely new redesign to spice things up, just creativity. Again, these techniques create a sensory experience that shoppers won’t be able to resist.

More Subtle Promotion

Foiling is a simple way to elevate your design. It glistens in the light and creates luxury appeal. So, what are some other ways to make subtle changes with a big impact?

Labeling Technology

Use labeling technology such as NFC technology, a QR code, or even a simple URL to connect customers to added value. This doesn’t drastically change the label design but also increases engagement. Then, share promotional content such as seasonal tutorials, ever-changing social media accounts, or apps.

Booklet-Style Labels

Another way to add value is to add pages to your label with booklet-style labeling. Now, promotional content and added value are provided behind your standard design. Plus, this technique again engages shoppers’ senses when they open up the panels.

Sci-fi lovers everywhere will easily get drawn into this neon, out of this world matcha, don’t you think? The art style, the vibrant coloring (achieved with inks like this ice white ink), and even the minimalism elsewhere on the package draw the eye and engage the imagination. Then, the neon is re-enforced on the container label with a neon green font. So, consider how subtle touches leave a lasting impact.

We all know Dracula, and the various mediums the character pops up in. However, the fanned label clearly references the movie depictions of the character. The simple black and white scheme also creates a timeless, or even perhaps vintage look. So, while the font is modern and simple, the overall look creates a vintage movie vibe.

Try diving into creative collaborations on a big or even a small scale. You don’t need to partner with a blockbuster movie to get the rights to feature their characters. No, instead, if you’re a small brand, look local. Attend local film festivals and share locally produced shorts by using labeling technology. As a result, customers will want to pick up your product to connect with the link provided. It’s the same concept as brands that feature unique art on each label.

What to Expect at PLMA 2018

We’ll be offering produce and horticultural labeling information and even various samples. Not only will this cover innovative techniques and technologies, but also label application solutions. So stop by to ask us questions, or grab some samples of our work!

With anti-packaging becoming a more prominent trend, our sustainable label stock options offer an ideal alternative. As a result, this stock meets customers needs and values. It also helps that these stocks include high-quality wine stocks!

Add spook to your promotional Halloween label for next year. Or, use these principles to add festive spirit to other holiday label designs. A little effort to enhance a promotional design goes a long way.

Creepy Imagery

Of course, when designing a new promotional label to excite customers, use imagery that associates with the event. In this case, a whole Halloween scene creates a truly immersive experience. Or, subtle inclusions of a graphic like an eyeball over the dots of eyes keeps the design process much more simple. This way also makes the branding much more recognizable which is key for smaller brands.

Add Spook With Tactile Labeling Techniques

Have you ever been to a Halloween house of horrors where part of the fun is sticking your hands blindly into bowls of sticky, goopy, and wet substances? Well, consider your label a space to create a similar experience. The above labels are simple samples to show you various techniques in action. The orange juice is a minimalistic standard label, while the green juice uses a zombie pattern that’s lifted with embossing and given a glossy, shiny texture with a tactile coating. This concept engages the senses in a haptic way that makes customers want to reach out and touch it.

Halloween Easter Eggs (So To Speak)

Alternatively, add a subtle element to your standard design that makes customers take a second look. Our example of this is the red juice which features a little splatter of blood. Since it blends in with the juice itself, it will make shoppers take a second look. Plus, if foiling or a tactile coating is used overtop of the graphic, it would create an even more realistic look.

Ferris Coffe & Nut is a high-quality brand located right here in Grand Rapids, Michigan. When it comes to handcrafted branding, they excel. Learn all about their growing business and packaging excellence.

Ferris Coffee & Nut Label Design

This family-owned business dates back to 1924, and the labels appropriately reflect the down to earth, indie tone. The minimalistic nature and emphasis on the hand-drawn aspects fuse well together. This isn’t a coffee company that puts on airs. As a result, Ferris effectively communicates the fun and approachable nature of their products, all while demonstrating how seriously they take quality.

The Community Impact

ArtPrize is the biggest public art event in the world which also happens to take place right here in Grand Rapids, Michigan. To celebrate, Ferris joins the festivities and create delicious flavors which represent the festival that year. Again, the approachable take to quality isn’t just a branded claim, it’s a value-driven business guide.

Learn more about how we can bring your wildest label design concepts and durability requirements to life. While techniques are important and exciting, there’s so much more to your label. Download our Label Project Guide e-book.

One label often feels like it’s not enough space to contain all the required copy, eye-catching graphics, and innovative labeling techniques as it is. However, there’s a lot of value to using multiple forms of labeling technology to connect customers to valuable digital content. This technology includes NFC (Near Field Communication), QR codes, hashtags, and even simple URLs. It may seem as though there’s not enough space to include more than one form of connectivity, however, the value it offers your customers make the design effort worth it.

When Only Using One Label, Cut The Fat & Optimize Authentic Connection

Take a good hard look at your design. QR codes, URLs, and hashtags don’t take up too much space. So, if you’re having difficulty finding room for two of those options, you are likely packing too much information and graphics into your design. Unless, of course, minimalism is your goal. In that case, find ways to blend the digital connections in with other copy. However, for those with busy design, it’s time to make space for the digital age.

Promotional Labels & Booklet-Style Labels Expand Content

Only have space for one label? Layer it up. By using peelable promotional labels, the digital content printed on the backside has the potential to be continuously updated. So, keep the cover the same, yet create seasonality with your packaging. Alternatively, booklet-style labels open up to reveal even more content space. This provides even more value for customers and engages their senses in a haptic marketing sense.

A/B Testing

Also, consider testing all designs to gauge which form of technological connection is best for your demographic. By creating several designs and testing with unbiased customers, you get an accurate picture of how to best design using the space available.

Designing Labels With Both Kids and Parents in Mind

Kids and adults want different things out of a label. However, if you have a wide demographic, strike a balance to cast a wide net. As seen above, Moo-Ville does this brilliantly with their use of color, character graphics, and informative copy.

Pictures

The type of images you use to communicate a lot. Cartoon characters often denote a younger demographic is in mind for the product. Realistic imagery often communicates a more adult approach. That said, pastels and neons say two different things. So does a pencil drawing and a big bubbly character.

Label Copy

Often, kids will read fun copy like jokes, or links to apps. So, use labeling technology to offer more value for kids. Adults instead look for nutritional information or other details that communicate health value. Regardless of if the product is targeting adults, that information is crucial. When parents shop for their kids, that’s what they’ll be hoping to see. Again, strike a balance between child and adult oriented.

Demographic Age Matters

What’s appropriate and exciting for young children appears to be immature for teenagers. Consider which age group you’re targeting. Looking for kids of all ages to enjoy your product? Conduct A/B testing to find an appropriate middle ground. Or, release promotional versions of the same product with different app links, copy, and graphic design. Appeal to both groups using the same product and different labels.

Learn more about how we can bring your wildest label design concepts and durability requirements to life. While techniques are important and exciting, there’s so much more to your label. Download our Label Project Guide e-book.

What to Expect at PMA 2018

We’ll be offering produce and horticultural labeling information and even various samples. Not only will this cover innovative techniques and technologies, but also label application solutions. Stop by to ask us questions, or grab some samples of our work!

With anti-packaging becoming a more prominent trend, our sustainable label stock options offer an ideal alternative. As a result, this stock meets customers needs and values. It also helps that these stocks include high-quality wine stocks!

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About Great Lakes Label

We at Great Lakes Label proudly declare our personal commitment to understand our customers’ requirements while meeting or exceeding their expectations through the continuous improvement of our
manufacturing processes.